The Ocean Blog Hop Reveal

Hello!  Welcome to The Ocean Blog Hop Reveal.  Several month's ago, Lisa Lodge over at The Greatful Artist announced that she would be hosting an ocean themed blog hop and I had to jump right in.   If you know me, you know I love the water and the beach.  It is one of the bonuses of living in Florida, so I couldn't wait to participate.

Lisa sent along a great collection of beads and findings to use in my creations.  This first picture shows the siam colored crystals, round metal connectors, and star fish charms.  In the green bowl is a collection of beads in a multitude of shapes and sizes.

The second photo of what I received shows the crystal rondelles again, along with some pretty yellow barrel beads and two wonderful tangerine colored sea glass pendants.  

After spending some time studying all the wonderful beads, I needed to come up with my ocean inspiration.  Usually, when you think beach or ocean you think blues or greens.  But, I thought more about my experiences and I remembered a trip I took down to the Florida Keys and a snorkeling adventure.  There is nothing more beautiful than the life under the water.  Aqua colored water, white sand, fish in all sizes and colors, and incredible coral.  (remember not to put your foot down!!)  I used my memories of that trip as my inspiration for my designs.

Coral Under the Sea

I made this bracelet to represent the coral in the ocean.  I used the siam colored crystal rondelles for my coral then highlighted them with dark blue crystal rondelles to represent the water.  The smaller crystal bicones in blue, light blue, and sea green can represent either water or small fish darting in and out of the coral.  If you look closely in the picture, you can see clear glass teardrop beads.  Those were part of the mix of beads in the green bowl above.  They stick out from the bracelet just like the branches of coral would do from the sea floor.  

It is a bit easier to see the clear beads in this photo:

The second piece I made for the blog hop is a fun pair of earrings.  I used the sea glass pendants and those fun star fish to make a pair that is just perfect for a summer day.

Sunset Beach

How fun are these??  Imagine yourself on the beach or boardwalk, enjoying a relaxing summer day with family or someone you love.  I think they are just perfect for that day at the beach.

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek at my designs.  I love participating in Lisa's Blog Hops and creating jewelry based on a theme. The next Blog Hop of Lisa's I will be participating in is the Gemstone and Metal one coming in July so make sure to watch for that post as well.

Now it is time to enjoy the rest of the party and hop along to see what the other participants have designed.  Please use the list below to see all of the ocean themed pieces.

Ocean Blog Hop May 31^st Reveal:

Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Christie Searle Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue

Marybeth Rich, A Few Words from within the Pines  You are Here!

Karin Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot

Candida Elkins Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion

Katrina Taylor, I Wanna Go Out

Mary Ann Macri Jacobs, Trucksville Crafts

Jeanne Steck, Gems by Jeanne Marie

Ann Schroeder, Bead Love

Kathleen Breeding, 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry

Terri Wlaschin, Dances in Fog

Margaret Pelech, Margaret Pelech's Ocean Blog

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs

Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations

The beautiful cultured seaglass for this hop is from ZnetShows.  Check out their awesome selection! ZnetShows Cultured Seaglass